GreaterGood® Supports Education In Haiti

SEATTLE, Jan. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- GreaterGood®, a family of online activism sites and its non-profit foundation GreaterGood.org, have partnered with The Dreamweaver Foundation, The M.A.D. Girls, Inc., and multi-platinum recording artists Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo, to launch The Other Side, a campaign supporting continued education for children in Haiti.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be involved in such a wonderful initiative," said Nichet Smith, Senior Vice President of the M.A.D. Girls, Inc. "We are so looking forward to helping these children in La Gonave reach their educational goals. We are grateful to be a part of this project."

Lekòl Kominotè Matènwa (LKM) located in Matènwa on the island of La Gonâve, Haiti has been selected as the inaugural school for the 2014 campaign. The Other Side is committed to funding teachers, training and school supplies for the 2014 school year and beyond. Currently, the school teaches pre-kindergarten through grade 9. With the support of the programs partners, LKM will expand its offering up to grade 13, resulting in its first graduating high school class.  

"Currently, only 10% of students complete secondary school in Haiti. Compared to primary schools, secondary schools are harder to find and more expensive to attend. When a student completes grade 9, many of them are forced to either discontinue their education or move to a larger town, where they must support themselves while they finish school.  Few families can afford to do this," says Liz Baker, Executive Director of GreaterGood.org. "Sadly, many students are forced to provide free labor to their 'host' families, never attending school at all. By expanding the curriculum at LKM, we're making it easier for all students in the area to graduate. We believe that when a student completes high school they have more earning power, are more employable, and have a better chance at a positive future."

LKM was chosen as the first school because of the unique teaching practices it has in place. Currently, LKM is one of the only Haitian schools that teaches in Creole, the native language. Most schools teach in French causing students, a majority of whom do not speak French, to fall behind. LKM has also banned corporal punishment, a practice that is still in place in many primary schools in Haiti. Additionally, LKM teaches science, computer technology and agriculture to its students where many others do not.

LKM is currently working with more than 20 schools on the island to help them adopt its successful teaching methods and curriculum.  With the support of The Other Side, LKM will be able to expand its curriculum and further its support of other schools in the community.

"To impact real, lasting change in the region, it's vital that we provide the tools and knowledge needed to make it not only possible, but sustainable," says Liz Baker, Executive Director of GreaterGood.org. "By choosing LKM as our pilot school, we're investing in a program that is committed to furthering education in a positive and impactful way. Thanks to LKM's dedication to education, our support will reach beyond LKM's walls, into the greater community and beyond."

In addition to supporting the high school, fundraisers are being set up through the Gift That Gives More™ program to provide egg-laying hens to families so they can provide a constant source of protein to their children, who are provided only one meal a day by the school. Initial plans are being made to dig a well within the village so that they no longer have to carry water on their heads for hours each morning, and a health clinic is being added to the school so students can be treated and cared for locally.

To support The Other Side, please visit: http://www.theothersidecampaign.com, or donate through the Gifts That Give More program or a mobile phone by texting HAITI to 41444.  For assets and images please visit this link.

About GreaterGood® and GreaterGood.org
GreaterGood® supports causes consumers care about most. Consumers can learn about various causes, donate outright or via the purchase of products available on the respective sites, at no extra cost. GreaterGood's websites include: The Hunger Site, The Animal Rescue Site, The Breast Cancer Site, The Literacy Site, The Rainforest Site, The Veterans Site, The Diabetes Site and The Autism Site.

GreaterGood.org is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization devoted to improving the health and well-being of people, pets, and the planet. Since 2006, it has given over $30 million to charity partners and programs worldwide that work toward our mission.

About The M.A.D. Girls Inc.
The M.A.D. Girls Inc. helps individuals or organizations identify and implement projects to benefit a cause or humanitarian effort of interest. It achieves its goals by actively engaging in localized efforts to raise awareness and supporting activities that enhance the well-being of the less fortunate.

About The Dreamweaver Foundation
The Dreamweaver Foundation is committed to supporting not for profits world wide, with an emphasis on the education of young women in developing countries.

For GreaterGood:
Michelle Hoffman
Lola Red PR
612.333.1723

SOURCE GreaterGood